The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-06-09
Southern Progress.

made that it is the intention of the Atch
ison, Topeka and Santa Fe road to estab-
lish weekly line OF steame rs from Gal
weston, Texas, to Liverpool, and tri-
weekly line from Galveston to New Y ork.
This statement is important as showing
the enterprise and comprehensive business
schemes which are engaging the attention
Of the country, designed for the accommo
dalton of the developing and increasing
trade of the South. We noticed some
weeks ago the fact that large wheat ship
ments were being made from New Or
leans to Europe, indicating the change
of the channels of the products of the
Northwest seeking market from the |
North TO the South, and a promise of the !
return of the trade prosperity that South |
ern cities once enjoyed. Last year it is
estimated that not less than one lit ndred |
million dollars belonging to Northern and
Western capitalists, were invested in the
South, a part Of it to convert cotton into
fabrics and to utilize cotton seed, and a
greater portion of it in iron and steel
making, railroad building and kindred en-
| terprses. These facts mean great deal
They indicate the drift of the nsw bust
ness of the country. 1t is no longer eX-
cluslvely towards the West. The invita-
ton to the youth of the old States is not so
much to ''go West as it is from the South
as Offering even greater opportunities. Prac-
tically it is newer country; its resources
are much more diversified, aid its Ca
liabilities and possibilities lar superior to
any other section of the Union. Not only
are its natural advantages superior to
those of any other portion of the country,
but labor is cheaper, the climate more
equable and the promise of profits great
er for investments made.
These wonderful advantages ought to be
} seriously thought over by the Southern
people, and policies encouraged which will
give them enduring stability and enlarged
scope Two essential questions are di-
rectly related to proper appreciation Of
the situation as thus outlined-the pol
lev of protection to American labor and
. American productions and the education
of the masses to proper understanding
of the demands upon them and apprecia-
ton of the opportunities within their
reach. No permanent industrial prosper
iJy can be assured unless the policy of the
government is to foster and encourage it,
not only in a practical sense, but as part Of
the system Of domestic economy which
looks to industrial Independence for the
nation. And this will be better understood
d when the masses are educated through
: the public schools, and their intellections
q developed in proportion to the material adj
7 vancement OF the country. The next de-
d cade will be the most important period in
g will determine whether her progress is tC
|, keep pace with the present promise an(
n the material resources she possesses. II
G the protective policy is perpetual ed-ant
). this cannot he done under free trade DE
mocracy-ald educational interests en-
d Iarged and ramified-and this cannot bt
10 done without national aid to public schools
!. the decade before us will witness th'
= most remarkable advancement OF the SOntl
Al that was ever yGlchsafed to a people. i
If will be an advancement in intelligence
wealth and permanent prosperity. and Thu
,f increase of political power and CONNER
;, cial Importance such as have never befor
been realized. To do this the South mus
be divorced fI6m the obsolete theories ant
i, impractical distractions Of the old moss
back Democratic free traders and obstrnc
Gionists. We must catch the inspiration
of the progressive age in which we live
% turn our backs to the fossils and rejndice
Ii of the past, ard march forward under new
IL conditions, new aspirations and new idea
!. of duty and responsibility. With thi
III spirit predominating Southern progress
and wealth can ard will be Indefinitely EN-
larged, and the seat Of industrial enter
p prise and wealth transferred to our terri
IL tory.